Coca-Cola Canada announced today it will be reducing the sweetness of its main Coke product in an effort to reduce the calorie intake of Canadian diets.

The concentration of syrup added to the Canadian recipe will be decreased to the same level of sweetness found in Coke products elsewhere in the world. This will cut calories by approximately eight per cent.

Another significant calorie-cutting change revolves around the company’s decision to introduce smaller containers. With the new Coke recipe, the 591 mL plastic bottles (260 calories) will be reduced by 15 per cent in size to 500 mL (200 calories) and the “regular cans” will be shrunk by 14.5 per cent from 355 mL (160 calories) to 310 mL (120 calories).

In addition to the container size changes, the 222 mL miniature cans and 237 mL glass bottles will be made more available.

“These new initiatives are the latest in Coca-Cola Canada’s efforts to reduce the overall beverage calories in the Canadian diet; and to provide consumers with information and resources to lead active, balanced lifestyles,” reads a statement by Coca Cola Canada.

“Consumers can expect to find the new calorie-reduced formats in their local stores over the coming weeks and months as distribution rolls-out across the country.”

The changes are being made ahead of growing pressure from consumers and health critics that soft-drink companies need to lower their calorie totals in their products. Consumers are also more aware of the possible adverse health complications that result from a regular diet consisting of excessive amounts of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.

The worldwide prevalence of diabetes and obesity is a growing concern. Statistics Canada data indicates about 2-million Canadians age 12 and over are diabetic and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s latest findings reveals 25 per cent of adult Canadians are obese.

Changing consumer demands and trends are also reflected in declining sales. In October 2014, Coca-Cola Worldwide reported its third quarter revenue was US$11.97-billion instead of the expected US$12.12-billion. Net income for the same quarter also fell to US$2.1-billion from US$2.4-billion from a year earlier.

With a less optimistic long-term outlook, Coca-Cola also stated in October that it would increase its cost-cutting initiatives to save US$3-billion by 2019 – up from the previously announced $1-billion in February.